The Chauga River is a freestone river in South Carolina, listed as Catch and release by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (official eRegulations edition of the SC fishing regulations).
1 USGS gauge on the water reports flow. 1 guide nearby are listed here.
Chauga River is a freestone river in South Carolina.
Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles
Map of Chauga River: gauges, shops and guides
Map of Chauga River with 1 USGS gauge, and shops and guides with an exact address within 40 miles.
Restrooms within 2 miles of Chauga River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.
No restroom mapped within 2 mi yet — add one you know.
Campgrounds, fishing access sites and boat ramps often have one that isn't on the map yet.
Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.
Catch and releaseThe Chattooga River at Bull Pen Bridge, North Carolina headwaters. Photo: Dallas Epperson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
South Carolina · about 12 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Devils Fork CreekThe lower Saluda River at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, South Carolina. Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Devils Fork Creek.
South Carolina · about 6 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Cheohee CreekThe Middle Saluda River in Jones Gap State Park, Greenville County, South Carolina. Photo: John Foxe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Cheohee Creek.
South Carolina · about 17 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Corbin CreekThe Davidson River at Davidson River Campground, Pisgah National Forest. Photo: USDA / Lance Cheung, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Corbin Creek.
South Carolina · about 21 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Howard CreekThe Tuckasegee River from Old River Road, Bryson City. Photo: Matthew T. Bradley, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Howard Creek.
South Carolina · about 23 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Whitewater RiverBradley Creek, a stream in the Mills River watershed in Pisgah National Forest, about three miles from the North Mills River (not the North Mills itself). Photo: Will Thomas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Whitewater River.
South Carolina · about 23 mi
Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.
Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.
On the Trout waters with a Nov. 1 - May 14 catch-and-release season (single-hook artificial lures only) list (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (official eRegulations edition of the SC fishing regulations), read 2026-10-24). All waters with this designation
On the Trout waters with a Nov. 1 - May 14 catch-and-release season (single-hook artificial lures only) list (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (official eRegulations edition of the SC fishing regulations), read 2026-10-24). All waters with this designation
Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-04) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.
Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-05) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
17.6 of 30.1 mi on public land
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.
No shop nearby yet.
What 1 nearby guide website mention: what guides advertise, not a survey or a promise of what you will catch.
Named on 1 nearby guide website
None of our destination hubs is within 40 miles in a straight line. The trip planner builds a trip around the water itself: the guides and shops listed within 40 miles of it, its gauges and its nearest towns and airports.
No hub within 40 miles
A practical checklist for fly fishing small mountain trout streams: a short 3–4 weight rod, light line, a few buoyant dries and simple wet-wading gear, with estimated prices and where to buy.
7′6″–8′6″ rod, 3–4 weight, floating line · Brook, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout
Open the checklistSeams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on reading water
Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on nymphing
Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Chauga River.
No stories from here yet.
Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.
A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.
Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge CHAUGA RIVER ABOVE WESTMINSTER, SC. Water type is our own classification.
Caution: Rising water: fishable, but watch the level
No water temperature, flow statistics here.
At CHAUGA RIVER ABOVE WESTMINSTER, SC (USGS 344108083090600) Provisional USGS data
USGS 344108083090600
What the agencies suggest
Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundingsRhode Island Department of Environmental Management
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
No flow at this gauge. USGS does not publish discharge here, so there are no flow statistics either; it reports what is shown. We found no other gauge on the same river that publishes flow.
Reading Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Rising · 24 h
Gauge height, last 7 days: 168 readings from Oct 29, 7:30 PM EDT to Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST; ranging 7.7 to 9.58 ft; latest 8.65 ft.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS Water Data API continuous values.
| Time | Gauge height (ft) |
|---|---|
| Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST | 8.65 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST | 8.69 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 PM EST | 8.73 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 PM EST | 8.79 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 PM EST | 8.85 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 PM EST | 8.92 |
| Nov 5, 11:15 AM EST | 9 |
| Nov 5, 10:15 AM EST | 9.09 |
| Nov 5, 9:15 AM EST | 9.16 |
| Nov 5, 8:15 AM EST | 9.23 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 AM EST | 9.35 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 AM EST | 9.49 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 AM EST | 9.58 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 AM EST | 9.39 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 AM EST | 9.28 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 AM EST | 9.18 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 AM EST | 9.04 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 AM EST | 8.95 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 PM EST | 8.88 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 PM EST | 8.76 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 PM EST | 8.55 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 PM EST | 8.37 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 PM EST | 8.15 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 PM EST | 8.01 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 PM EST | 7.91 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 PM EST | 7.84 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 PM EST | 7.81 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 PM EST | 7.77 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 PM EST | 7.75 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 PM EST | 7.74 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 AM EST | 7.74 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 AM EST | 7.74 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 AM EST | 7.74 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 AM EST | 7.74 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 AM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 AM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 AM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 AM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 AM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 AM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 AM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 PM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 AM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 AM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 AM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 PM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 PM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 PM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 PM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 PM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 PM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 PM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 PM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 PM EST | 7.73 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 PM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 AM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 AM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 AM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 AM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 AM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 AM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 AM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 AM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 PM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 PM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 PM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 PM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 PM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 PM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 PM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 PM EST | 7.72 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 PM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 PM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 PM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 PM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 AM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 AM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 AM EST | 7.71 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 AM EST | 7.7 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 AM EST | 7.7 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 AM EST | 7.7 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 AM EST | 7.7 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM EST | 7.7 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 AM EST | 7.7 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 AM EST | 7.7 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM EST | 7.7 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM EDT | 7.7 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 AM EDT | 7.71 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 PM EDT | 7.71 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 PM EDT | 7.71 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 PM EDT | 7.71 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT | 7.71 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 PM EDT | 7.73 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 PM EDT | 7.73 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 AM EDT | 7.71 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 AM EDT | 7.71 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 AM EDT | 7.71 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 AM EDT | 7.71 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 AM EDT | 7.71 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 AM EDT | 7.71 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 AM EDT | 7.71 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 PM EDT | 7.73 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 PM EDT | 7.73 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 PM EDT | 7.74 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 PM EDT | 7.73 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 PM EDT | 7.73 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 PM EDT | 7.73 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 AM EDT | 7.73 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 AM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 29, 11:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 29, 10:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 29, 9:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 29, 8:15 PM EDT | 7.72 |
| Oct 29, 7:30 PM EDT | 7.73 |
Rising over 24 hours: gauge height up 0.74 ft. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
The National Weather Service has no flood-stage gauge here, so no official flood category is shown.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines South Carolina DNR uses are 62°F and 70°F.
This gauge is on our page for Chauga River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (gauge height up 0.74 ft). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Checked Nov 5, 6:18 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.
Catch and releaseThe Chattooga River at Bull Pen Bridge, North Carolina headwaters. Photo: Dallas Epperson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Devils Fork CreekThe lower Saluda River at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, South Carolina. Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Devils Fork Creek.
South Carolina · about 6 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Cheohee CreekThe Middle Saluda River in Jones Gap State Park, Greenville County, South Carolina. Photo: John Foxe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Cheohee Creek.
South Carolina · about 17 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Corbin CreekThe Davidson River at Davidson River Campground, Pisgah National Forest. Photo: USDA / Lance Cheung, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Corbin Creek.
South Carolina · about 21 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Howard CreekThe Tuckasegee River from Old River Road, Bryson City. Photo: Matthew T. Bradley, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Howard Creek.
South Carolina · about 23 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Whitewater RiverBradley Creek, a stream in the Mills River watershed in Pisgah National Forest, about three miles from the North Mills River (not the North Mills itself). Photo: Will Thomas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Whitewater River.
South Carolina · about 23 mi
Mountain Rest, South Carolina
River cabins · 10 mi
